<b>Cookies Kush</b> - Barney’s Farm’s 1st place Amsterdam Cannabis Cup winner is the fated cross of Girl Scout Cookies and Rolex Kush. A 100% indica, known for a heavy stone. Stateside — Cookies & Cream from Exotic Genetix in Seattle took the U.S. Cannabis Cup in Denver in April. Cookies & Cream is Mystery Cookies x Starfighter and is reportedly 26% THC, the main active ingredient in cannabis. less

<b>Bubblegum Cookies</b> —
The Girl Scout Cookies craze started in San Francisco continues this year with a myriad of iterations. Bubblegum Cookies smells so much like Bazooka Joe it was almost suspicious. less

<b>Bubblegum Cookies</b> —
The Girl Scout Cookies craze started in San Francisco continues this year with a myriad of iterations. Bubblegum Cookies smells so much like Bazooka Joe it was almost ... more

<b>Super Lemon Diesel</b> —
Decades after Chemdawg begat OG Kush and Sour Diesel, the line remains strong. Selective breeding continues to amp up the lemon and fuel notes in this cultivar. Senior relative Tahoe Chem took first place in San Francisco Patients Choice in 2014. less

<b>Super Lemon Diesel</b> —
Decades after Chemdawg begat OG Kush and Sour Diesel, the line remains strong. Selective breeding continues to amp up the lemon and fuel notes in this cultivar. Senior relative ... more

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<b>L.A. Confidential</b> —
As Los Angeles moves to regulate its dispensaries, L.A. Con continued to rep the region. DNA Genetics’ veganic-grown cut of the gnarly indica took 2nd place in the Los Angeles Medical Cannabis Cup 2014. less

<b>L.A. Confidential</b> —
As Los Angeles moves to regulate its dispensaries, L.A. Con continued to rep the region. DNA Genetics’ veganic-grown cut of the gnarly indica took 2nd place in the Los Angeles ... more

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<b>Azure Haze</b> —
Legendary creator of Blueberry, DJ Short, launched new company Old World Genetics this year. His son JD’s cut of Blue Dream dubbed Azure Haze is exquisite. From a Blueberry male and Silver Haze female cut from the Bay Area, sativa-dominant and one generation closer to the Blueberry landrace. less

<b>Azure Haze</b> —
Legendary creator of Blueberry, DJ Short, launched new company Old World Genetics this year. His son JD’s cut of Blue Dream dubbed Azure Haze is exquisite. From a Blueberry male and ... more

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Red Dragon: Spotted in Sacramento and Oakland, this super-exotic sativa took the Cup in L.A. this year.

Red Dragon: Spotted in Sacramento and Oakland, this super-exotic sativa took the Cup in L.A. this year.

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<b>Moon Rocks</b> —
Death Row Records’ Kurupt moved into the infused flower space with a line of hash-dipped, kief rolled buds called Moon Rocks. Shameless bud marketing hits new heights with the corresponding album release. less

<b>Moon Rocks</b> —
Death Row Records’ Kurupt moved into the infused flower space with a line of hash-dipped, kief rolled buds called Moon Rocks. Shameless bud marketing hits new heights with the ... more

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<b>Pink Panther</b> —
Away from the glitz and glamour of cups and rap videos, Bay Area dispensaries proffered some next-level, small-batch outdoor, like this unique, gorgeous Pink Panther spotted in the South Bay. The cross of TNT and High Level reset the bar for sungrown with next-level sweet, syrupy, floral aroma and a mega-berry taste. less

<b>Pink Panther</b> —
Away from the glitz and glamour of cups and rap videos, Bay Area dispensaries proffered some next-level, small-batch outdoor, like this unique, gorgeous Pink Panther spotted in the ... more

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<b>Black Lime Reserve</b> —
The best buds often don’t post the highest THC scores. It’s the entourage of secondary cannabinoids and terpenes that set the best apart. Aficionado Seeds defends their name with this award-winning cross of Oil Can, Northern Lights, Lime Afgani, PK, and Chemdawg SR. Plenty strong at 17 percent THC, Emerald Cup judges were enthralled by its “lemon lime funk”, and “nose bleed stink”, calling it “terp city” saying that it in waves. less

<b>Black Lime Reserve</b> —
The best buds often don’t post the highest THC scores. It’s the entourage of secondary cannabinoids and terpenes that set the best apart. Aficionado Seeds defends their name ... more

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<b>Night Owl</b> —
High-CBD genetics broke all previous records in 2014, with CBD levels going from negligible to numbers once reserved for the strongest high-THC flowers. Night Owl was developed by Full Spectrum Seeds and the 65 percent sativa has a CBD:THC ratio of anywhere from 12:1 to 25:1 in almost every plant — the result of extensive experimentation, hybridizing and inbreeding. Usually 10-20% CBD with 1 percent THC. Tastes good too. less

<b>Night Owl</b> —
High-CBD genetics broke all previous records in 2014, with CBD levels going from negligible to numbers once reserved for the strongest high-THC flowers. Night Owl was developed by Full ... more

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Best Buds: Some of the top marijuana strains of 2014

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The invisible hand of the marketplace has a green thumb.

Medical patients and cannabis aficionados alike were treated to literally history’s best cultivars of cannabis this year in America. Legalization in four states, medical marijuana in 23 and a receding tide of prohibition are allowing American farmers to do what they do best: Grow the world’s best agriculture. Hands down. No competition.

Often grown indoors under high-powered lamps and fed CO2 and nutrients, contemporary cannabis is hand-tended and descended from decades-long, global inter-breeding programs. It’s the psychedelic terminus of a Colombian Exchange started 522 years ago. Here’s a look at some of the best of what we’ve seen out there in the wild.